The CPM Midwives
Elaine Keller-Duemig, CNM (she/her)Elaine joined Central Park Midwifery in 2013. She and the founder, Georgia Rose, worked together for a year prior to Georgia's retirement. Georgia was gracious enough to leave the practice with Elaine, and she and the other CPM midwives have been honored to carry on the CPM legacy.
Becoming a midwife was Elaine's dream for many years. During her journey, she earned a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies and a certificate in LGBT studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. After studying abroad in Galway, Ireland, she decided to Wisconsin (forever!) and moved to Connecticut to earn her nursing degree at Quinnipiac University. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse at St Vincent's in Bridgeport, CT. She then pursued her dream of becoming a midwife and moved to New York to attend Columbia University to earn her midwifery degree while also working as a L&D nurse at St Vincent's in Greenwich Village. After graduating midwifery school, Elaine worked at Roosevelt (now Mount Sinai West) as a nurse and she always wanted to return as a midwife. Before joining CPM, Elaine worked with a physician in a busy private practice in New Jersey. Elaine favors the continuity and close relationships that develop with clients and their families while working in a private practice setting. Elaine speaks basic Spanish. Elaine lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter. Her daughter was born at the birthing center at Mount Sinai West. She enjoys the beach, Coney Island, treats, and traveling. |
Jenna Sood, CNM (she/they)Jenna joined Central Park Midwifery in August 2020. Her approach to midwifery is founded on a lifelong exploration of feminism, psychology, sexuality, spirituality, and embodiment. She is deeply committed to providing a safe and sacred space for all people and families that she works with.
Jenna completed her undergraduate degree at Colby College, where she studied both Neurobiology and Studio Art. This duality between science and creativity is present in her approach to most parts of life. She moved to New York in 2014 to complete her degrees in Nursing and Midwifery at Columbia University, where she became a part of a vivid community, passionate about reproductive justice in healthcare. Jenna did one of her clinical rotations with midwives at Mount Sinai West, and always dreamed of returning. After graduation, she spent 3.5 years at Jamaica Hospital, providing care for an integrated community in the heart of Queens. The first birth Jenna attended was when she was 7 years old, and her childhood cat was having kittens. Jenna supported her by singing “I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston, repeatedly! While Jenna’s supportive methods have expanded and evolved since then, she continues to bring a full and present heart to every birth she attends. Jenna lives in Brooklyn with her partner, Nina, their sweet dog, Rosie, and the occasional foster pup. She spends most of her free time outdoors, and can often be found camping upstate or swimming in the ocean. At home, she brings the outdoors in, and surrounds herself with an ever-expanding collection of houseplants. |
Christina McPherson, CNM (she/her)Christina joined Central Park Midwifery in March 2019. Her journey here began as a little girl with the fascination ignited by her own birth photos. She flirted with the idea of medical school and completed pre-med coursework alongside her BA in psychology at Barnard College in 2004. She then worked for four years as a research assistant in neuroendocrinology at The Rockefeller University before midwifery steered her back on course with its client-focused, team-based model that prioritizes the individual’s agency and dignity. She then returned to Columbia University, where she earned a BS in nursing and MS in midwifery.
In 2011, she began her career with the midwives at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, where she spent more than 7.5 years, focusing on providing education and access to care for a primarily underserved population. Although birth work is initially what called her to midwifery, she has also developed a passion for family planning and for breaking down barriers to contraceptive access. Christina speaks medically proficient, conversational Spanish and basic French. She lives in Queens and enjoys singing, theater, yoga, skiing, knitting, and rooting for her beloved Red Sox and Patriots (but don’t worry, she plays nicely with NY sports fans). |
Practice Administrator
Zara began working at Central Park Midwifery in December of 2022. She’s currently applying to nursing school to pursue a career in midwifery, and is grateful to be learning from the thoughtful CPM team as she begins her journey!
She completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at Middlebury College and is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Since moving to New York, she has worked at an art gallery, in a museum, and as a babysitter. The pandemic reminded her of her deep-seated belief in community care: outside of work, she volunteers as an advocate with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and in various direct service capacities, particularly those at the intersection of food and housing insecurity and maternal and reproductive health.
Zara lives in Brooklyn with her wonderful roommate and, when they’re lucky, her family’s dog. She loves spending time outside, watching her brother’s college basketball games, cooking for others, ambitious DIY projects, and all of the children she babysits.
She completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at Middlebury College and is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. Since moving to New York, she has worked at an art gallery, in a museum, and as a babysitter. The pandemic reminded her of her deep-seated belief in community care: outside of work, she volunteers as an advocate with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and in various direct service capacities, particularly those at the intersection of food and housing insecurity and maternal and reproductive health.
Zara lives in Brooklyn with her wonderful roommate and, when they’re lucky, her family’s dog. She loves spending time outside, watching her brother’s college basketball games, cooking for others, ambitious DIY projects, and all of the children she babysits.
Registered Nurse
Maggie initially joined CPM as our Practice Administrator in 2019 until she started graduate school at Columbia in 2020 to become a midwife. She has completed the nursing portion of her training and is now working toward her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Midwifery. In April 2022, she returned to CPM in the RN role, then continued her journey with CPM as a student midwife, and is now back in the RN role.
Maggie currently attends Columbia University's DNP-Midwifery program, where she is gaining skills to practice as a full-spectrum midwife. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Society, & Environment from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She received her doula training and certification from the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations, as well as her Lamaze Childbirth Education training from Passion for Birth.
Maggie lives in Washington Heights with her partner and their cat, Tom Tom. She enjoys sharing meals and time with family and friends, creating bowls and plates (and more bowls) at her neighborhood ceramics studio, and going for long walks. She grew up in Iowa, and trained as a ballet dancer through much of her young adult life - her movement background still informs her work and practice.
Maggie is dedicated to supporting people and families through their reproductive healthcare journeys, with individualized care, presence, and compassion. She believes, at the core of things, that sharing health and body knowledge is empowering, and she fosters a relational approach to healthcare. Her family's birth stories inspire her practice.
Maggie currently attends Columbia University's DNP-Midwifery program, where she is gaining skills to practice as a full-spectrum midwife. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Society, & Environment from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She received her doula training and certification from the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations, as well as her Lamaze Childbirth Education training from Passion for Birth.
Maggie lives in Washington Heights with her partner and their cat, Tom Tom. She enjoys sharing meals and time with family and friends, creating bowls and plates (and more bowls) at her neighborhood ceramics studio, and going for long walks. She grew up in Iowa, and trained as a ballet dancer through much of her young adult life - her movement background still informs her work and practice.
Maggie is dedicated to supporting people and families through their reproductive healthcare journeys, with individualized care, presence, and compassion. She believes, at the core of things, that sharing health and body knowledge is empowering, and she fosters a relational approach to healthcare. Her family's birth stories inspire her practice.
CPM Herstory
Central Park Midwifery was started by Georgia Rose, CNM. She was in private practice for 14 years and attended over 1600 deliveries. Georgia was always amazed and in awe of the wisdom of birth and the power of women. "Each woman has an innate knowledge of how she will give birth because she comes from a long line of successful mothers." Georgia wanted to help each woman discover her own wisdom and to encourage and support her unique journey to a positive and joyful birth experience.
In 2013, Georgia decided to expand the practice and prepare for her upcoming retirement. Elaine joined Georgia in December 2013.
Since 2015, we have continued to carry on Georgia's legacy and wisdom.
In 2013, Georgia decided to expand the practice and prepare for her upcoming retirement. Elaine joined Georgia in December 2013.
Since 2015, we have continued to carry on Georgia's legacy and wisdom.